Weighing scale



Sept. 8, 1931. L. s. WILLIAMS WEIGHING SCALE Filed Nov. 23, i928 mm E:

Patented Sept. 8, 1931 UNITED PATENT OFFICE LAWRENCE S. WILLIAMS, TOLEIPO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 TOLEDO SCALE COMPANY, OF

TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY wnrenme scene Application filed November 23, 1928. Serial No. 321,319.

This invention relates to weighing scales, and in particular to hopper scales which automatically determine the required amount of material, such as are used in bakeries and flour mills.

One of the principal objects of the invention is a scale which automatically cuts off the flow of the material when the predetermined amount has been deposited in the hop- 10 per and which also indicates on a chart the amount of the material in the hopper.

Another object is the provision of improved means which automatically stops the material feeding mechanism.

Another object is the provision of a scale wherein the weight indication is independent of the load determining mechanism.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description in 20 which reference is had to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodment 0 my invention and wherein similiar reference numerals designate similiar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings Figure I is a front elevational view of a a weighing scale having parts broken away and showing the operative relation of the scale with the material feeding mechanism.

Figure II is a diagram of the remote control and main power circuits.

Referring to the drawings in detail, my invention as embodied therein consists of the hopper 1 which is supported by the frame 2 on the load pivots (not shown) of the pipe levers 3 and 4. Their nose pivots 5 and 6 engage the stirrups 7 and 8 provided on the lower end of a short connecting rod 9. The upper end of this connecting rod pivotally engages one end of an extension lever 10. This extension lever is ivotally suspended from the ceiling or a fi'ame provided for this purpose by a fulcrum member 11. The fulcrum pivots 12 and 13 of the pipe levers 3 and 4 rest in the stirrups 14 and 15, which are suspended from the ceiling or an overhead frame. The other end of the extension lever pivotally engages a long connecting rod 16 which transmits the pull 60 of the load to the counterbalancing mechis substantially as described in Patent No. 1,543,768 to Hemfi This counterbalancing mechanism is supported within the substan tially watch-case-shaped housing 22 and serves to offset the load. The indicator 23, which is driven by the counterbalancing mechanism, co-operates with the indicia 2d printed or etched on..a stationary chart 25 which visually indicates the weight of the material in the hopper 1.

The other end of the equalizing lever 19 is connected by the connecting rod 26 to the cut-oh" operating lever 27 fulcrumed on the cabinet 18. A. beam 28, provided with a poise 29, serves to determine the required amount of material. The poise 29, when moved to the indicium on the beam.representing the desired weight of the material causes the lever to overbalance and the lever nose 30 to rest against the electric switch 31, closing the electric circuit (see Figure II) which forms the remote control for the power circuit which operates the feeding and sifting mechanism with which the scale embodying the invention is used.

Assuming that it is desired to weigh out 300 pounds of flour. The poise 29 is moved toward the left to the 300-pound mark on the beam. The over-balanced lever closes .the switch 31-. The operator then presses the push-button switch 32 which is shunted across the remaining break in the circuit. The circuit so formed, receiving its energy from the source 33, energizes the puller-magnet 34. This causes the main switch member member 35 closes the control circuit by con i weighthe bags on another scale.

tacting the switch members 39 and 40. As this action is instantaneous, the momentary pressure on the push-button starts the motor 41, and the operator is free to perform any other duties which he may have. The motor 41, acting through the pinion 42, the gear 43, shaft 44 and the sprocket 45 which is fixed on the opposite end of the shaft 44, drives the chain 46. The chain 46 engages the sprocket 47 mounted at the end of the shaft of a screw conveyor 48. The screw conveyor 48, located in the bottom of the flour bin 49, feeds the therein contained flour to a bucket elevator situated in the elevator housing 50. This bucket elevator, which is driven by the motor 41 through suitable gearing, delivers the flour to a screw conveyor which is housed in the duct 51. This screw conveyor is also driven by the motor 41, through its pinion 52 and a gear 53 which is fixed on a shaft 54 and meshes with the pinion. On the other end thereof is a pinion 55, which drives the pinion 57 which is fixed on the shaft of the screw conveyor housed in the duct 51. The flour is thus delivered to the sifter 58, where it is sifted and aerated and whence it drops into the hopper l suspended from the load levers 3 and 4 of the scale embodying the invention.

When 300 pounds of flour has accumulated in the hopper 1 its weight counterbalances the weight moment of the poise 29 on the beam 28. The nose 30 of the lever 27, to which the beam and poise are attached, is raised from its rest on the spring switch 31, thus breaking the remote control circuit, deenergizing the puller-magnet 34. This allows the spring 59, which is attached to an arm of the main switch member 35, to draw this member back and thus break the current fiow in'the power circuit, stopping the motor 41 and the feeding and elevating mechanisms driven thereby. The delivery of material to the hopper ceases. The operator then pulls the handle 60 on the hopper gate 61, which allows the material to flow from the hopper into the dough-mixer placed below to receive it.

The cut-off scales of the beam type as heretofore used have a serious'defect. The flour or other material occasionally bridges when the hopper is discharged, with the re sult that a portion of this wedged material remains in the hopper. The operator is ignorant of this, as the overbalanced beam is actuated only by the total predetermined load. Also, when scales ofthis type are used for packing flour or other comminuted material in bags it has been the practice to check- My invention obviates this additional work and expense. When these scales are used in bakcries for mixing dough, in the event that some of the material isretained in the hopper the batch will not have the right proportion of ingredients, the finished product will not be up to standard and financial losses and loss of professional prestige will result.

In the scale embodying my invention the amount of material in the hopper is at all times visually indicated on the chart 25. The operator is assured that the pro r amount has been delivered, and u on 'scharge of the material the return 0 the indicator to the zero position assures him that the hopper has been completely emptied.

As flour, dust and grain accumulate on the rim of the ho per, the frame, the levers and other expose movable parts of the scale, provision is made to counterbalance the effect of this accumulation. Located within the cabinet 18 is a shelf 62, and fixed thereon is the fulcrum stand 63. The fulcrum pivot 64 of the lever 65 rests on suitable bearings (not shown) provided in the fulcrum stand 63. The power pivot 66 of the lever 65 engages a bearing member 67 located in the connection 21. A poise 68 slidably mounted on the beam 70 is adapted to ofiset the weight of the accumulation.

It will readily be seen that the scale is well adapted to weigh any pulverized or comminuted materials or grain for batchmixing, packing in ba s or other containers.

The embodiment o my invention herein shown and described is to be regarded as illustrative only'and it'is understood that the invention is susceptible to variation, modification and change within the spirit and scope of the 'sub'oined claims.

Having descri ed my invention, I claim:

1. In a scale of the type described, in combination, lever mechanism, a commodity-receiver supported thereby, means for su ply- 1ng said commodity-receiver, a cut-o said supply means, automatic weighing and load indicating mechanism operatively connected to said lever mechanism, and means connected to said lever mechanism independently of said weighing and indicating mechanism for controlling said cut-off.

2. In a scale of the type described, in combination, lever mechanism, a commodity-receiver supported thereby, means for suppl ing said commodity-receiver, an electrlcall y controlled cut-off for said supply means au tomatic weighin and load indicating mechanism operative y connected to said lever mechanism, and means connected to said lever mechanism independently of said weighing and indicating mechanism for controlling said cut-off.

3. In a scale of the type described, in combination, lever mechanism, a commodity-receiver supported thereby, means for suppl ing said commodity-receiver, an electrical y controlled cut-off for said sup ly means, antomatic weighing and load indicating mechanlsm operatively connected to said lever mechanism, and means independent of said for 1 tro weilghing and indicating mechanism for coning said cut-off, said electrical control having a plurality of switches.

v4. In a scale of the type described, in combination, lever mechanism, a commodity-receiver supported thereby, means for supplying said commodity-receiver, electrically controlled cut-off means for said suppl means, automatic weighing and load ind1- eating mechanism operatively connected to said lever mechanism, and means independent of said weighing and indicating mechanism for controlling said cut-off, said electrical control having a manually operated switch and a switch operated by said independent control means.

5. In a scale of the type described, in combination, lever mechanism, a commodityreceiver sup orted thereby, means for supplying sai commodity-receiver, cut-off means for said supply means, automatic weighing and load indicating mechanism operatively connected to said lever'mechanlsm, and means independent of said weighing and indicating mechanism connected to said cut-ofi' means and the said lever mechanism for determining the amount of the load.

6. In a scale of the type described, in combination, lever mechanism, a commodity-receiver supported thereby, means for supplying said commodity-receiver, cut-off means for said supply means, automatic weighing and load indicating mechanism operatively connected to said lever mechanism, and means independent of said weighing and indicating mechanism connected to said cutofl means and to said lever mechanism for determining the amount of the load, said means comprising a pivotally supported lever and ,variable load-ofisetting means ineluding a poise.

7. In a scale ofthe type described in combination, lever mechanism, a commodityreceiver supported thereby, means for supplying said commodity-receiver, cut-ofi means for -said supply means, automatic weighing and load indicating mechanism operatively connected to said lever-mecha .nism, means independent of said weighin and indicating mechanism connected to sai cut-ofi' means and to said lever mechanism to determine the amount of the load, and means for operativel connecting said independent load-contro ling means and said weighing and indicating mechanism.

8. In a scale of the type described, in combination, lever mechanism, a commodity-receiver supported thereby, means for supplying said commodity-receiver, cut-off-means for said supply means, automatic weighing and load indicating mechanism operatively connected to said lever mechanism, means independent of said weighing andindicating mechanism connected to said cut-off means and to said levenmechanisln to determine the amount of the load, means for o 'eratively connecting said independent cad-controlling means and said weighing and indicating mechanism, and auxiliary load-offfettiing means for taring out increments of 9. In a scale of the type described, in combination, lever mechanlsm, a load hopper supported thereby, means for conveying comminuted material to said load hopper, means for stopping the conveyance of said material, pendulum load counterbalancing means and indicating means operatively connected to said lever mechanism, said indicating means including a relatively movable chart and index, means independent of said weighing and indicating mechanism for determinin the amount of the load and controlling t e conveyance of said material, auxiliary load-ofi'setting means for taring out increments of the load, and means for operatiyely connecting said inde endent loadcontrolling means, said auxi iary load-offsetting means and said weighing and indicating means.

LAWRENCE S. WILLIAMS. 

